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The Nats make a few roster moves

It was a busy day for the Nats. They recalled left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Justin Maxwell from the Triple-A Syracuse Chief and designated right-handed pitcher Jason Bergmann for assignment.

It was inevitable when the season started with eight pitchers in the bullpen that the Nats would eventually have to drop down to seven pitchers in the bullpen. Today was that day. Bergmann wasn’t the likely candidate on Opening Day but he pitched himself into that position with a 15.43 ERA (4 ER/ 2.1 IP) in four games.

Olsen, 26, started this afternoon’s series finale at Philadelphia. Olsen made one start for Syracuse, allowing four runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings during Friday’s no-decision vs. Lehigh Valley (Phillies). He started just 11 games last season and his last start was on July 10 before he had left shoulder surgery. He wasn’t quite 100 percent at the end of Spring Training but his fastball is back in the low 90’s and he could become a valuable southpaw in the Nats rotation.

Maxwell, 26, struggled this spring but was 5-for-15 (.333) with two doubles, two RBI, five runs scored, five walks and two stolen bases in four games with Syracuse prior to the promotion.

The Nats also voided the April 11 option of right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock to Syracuse, and instead, placed Mock on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to April 11, with a right cervical spine disc injury. Mock, 26, received a no-decision on Friday at New York (NL) in his 2010 debut. He worked 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks.

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